Does general anesthesia hurt if you are awake for intubation?

Awake intubation: No it doesn't hurt physically. Sometimes we use an awake intubation technique if the airway is to difficult to secure without the patient awake and breathing. We numb the airway and sometimes give sedation to make it more comfortable. And as soon as the tube is in the patient can go to sleep right away.

Usually not: I t depends on the person doing the awake intubation but if experienced, then it should be like any other prodecure that you may have had under local and sedation. You may also inquire if a video device such as a glidescope is available for the intubation which allows difficult intubations to be done while you are asleep.

This will not happen: If you are under general anesthesia you will not be awake for intubation. On the rare occasion we do intubations on awake patients the airway has been numbed prior to the intubation. General anesthesia itself does not hurt other than perhaps some irritation in the vein from some of the medications. Hope that this helps.